The Best Places To Eat In New York On A Budget

The Best Places To Eat In New York On A Budget

New York City is a foodie wonderland where you will find any type of food your heart desires — from vegan eggplant sandwiches to deep south eggs. In fact, the choice can be a little overwhelming at times, and it’s easy to get ripped off if you’re a visitor to the city.

But don’t freak, #WeGotChou. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best places to eat in New York on a budget. It’s here to help you sift through all the options for EVERY mealtime and easily find the best breakfast in Manhattan, or the best food truck in Brooklyn. We got the tips, we got the hints, and we even handpicked the best dishes from each place to help you when ordering. So prepare yourself, you will have major food envy after you read this.

Best Breakfast In NYC If You’re In A Hurry

Regardless if you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple — ready to see ALL the sights — or a New Yorker doing your daily hustle-and-bustle, breakfast is important. Since you’re eager to start your day, why not take breakfast with you?

3. Oatmeals – Greenwich Village

If you want to try the world’s best oatmeal bar, make your way to Greenwich where your grandma’s favourite breakfast dish is served with a very modern twist. Order the Matcha & Black Sesame Mochi Bowl for a healthy yet decadent start to the day.

4. Doughnut Plant — Long Island City

No preservatives, no eggs, no artificial ingredients, no trans fat… Who knew a doughnut could be so healthy? Stop by this place before you start your day and you won’t be sorry. These doughnuts are BOMB.

5. Pick A Deli Any Deli

When we say “there are Delis EVERYWHERE” we’re not joking. Delis are as ubiquitous as Starbucks or McDonald’s— and there’s a reason for that. These are the go-to spots for New Yorkers on the go. You’ll find bagels, breakfast burritos, sandwiches… and they’re pretty much all amazing and super cheap!

Address: Everywhere
Price: $2 – $6

Best Cheap Brunch Spots In New York

Grab and what?! If you regularly stroll out of bed at a casual 11:30am, brunch is the meal for you. Let’s be honest, brunch should be considered the most important meal of the day… We all know it’s the tastiest AND it serves a very important function: helping you recuperate after that ragger you had on Saturday night.

1. Jack’s Wife Freda – Lower Manhattan

Jack’s Wife Freda makes Mediterranean brunch plates that have a fresh/healthy vibe but still satisfy your comfort food cravings. What to try: Green Shakshuka — two baked eggs in a green tomatillo shakshuka served with challah toast.

2. Good Enough To Eat – Upper Westside

If you’re after a homey brunch, look no further. This place has a cute white picket fence outside, and feels like your grandma’s living room on the inside — complete with old photos & farm toys. What to try: Deep South Eggs— three scrambled eggs with biscuits and sausage gravy.

3. Harefield Road – Brooklyn

Challah bread French toast with berries and bacon from Harefield Road ?@twogalseat

Harefield Road is the poster child for Brooklyn brunch vibes. Dark woods, skylight, and a full bar for a boozy brunch with friends. What to try: Huevos Rancheros — two eggs any style with black beans, avocado, pico de gallo, salsa verde, and cheddar cheese on a crispy tortilla. Served with home fries.

5. Baby’s All Right – Brookyln

The name says it all. When you brunch here, you’ll be completely set for the rest of the day. If artsy vintage is your aesthetic, this place is for you. It even sells its own apparel, so you can buy a t-shirt with your brunch eggs. What to try: Wake and Bake — two poached eggs, spinach, smoked gouda, home fries, hollandaise.

7. Miss Lily’s Café – SoHo

This is the small town brunch spot you’ve imagined from the movies. From the moment you enter, you feel like you’re in a cute (very busy) small town diner. What to try: Coconut Pancakes—shaved coconut, fresh berries, maple syrup.

8. Blue Dog Kitchen – Hell’s Kitchen

Do NOT be fooled about this small, unassuming restaurant, it cooks some spectacular food, not to mention their all natural fruit super smoothies with colors more vibrant than a toucan’s feathers! What to try: Florentine Benedict — sautéed spinach, tarragon hollandaise, poached eggs, English muffin.

9. Mother’s Ruin – Little Italy

Dishes that will have you drooling and drinks that will keep you thirsting for more. Known for its frozen cocktail specialties, this is the place to make your weekend brunch a boozy brunch. What to try: Tri Tip Hash — Worcestershire marinated steak bites, poached eggs, red bliss potato hash.

10. Cafe Luluc – Brookyln

Want to get your French fix in NYC? Café Luluc is where to go to feel Parisian. Get there early, there is usually a line! What to try: Open-Face Western Omelet —sausage, red peppers, scallions and red onions.

Address: 214 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Price: $5 – $12

INSANELY Tasty Food Trucks in NYC

Restaurants in New York can be exhausting — having to wait for a table… walkthrough the 3-page menu… order drinks… then starters… THEN food. Sometimes you just want food ASAP, Rocky! Well don’t think you have to sacrifice quality for timeliness. These NYC food trucks cook up spectacular dishes in no time flat. (These are mobile, so the best way to find them is on their website!)

1. Chick’nCone –Bryant park

Yes. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Chicken bites in an ice cream cone. You know you’re interested, so stop reading this and go hunt them down! What to try: Chick’nCone — fork-Free chicken and waffles slathered in a sauce of your choice: kick’n ranch, yella BBQ, cinna-maple, buffalo blue or traditional BBQ.

2. The Morris Truck –Brooklyn

Grilled cheese exactly as it should be. Morris Truck is a great crowd-pleaser because they offer so many yummy veggie grilled cheeses sandwiches too. What to try: Green Machine — grilled cheese, fontina, fennel butter and kale two ways.

3. Tacos El Bronco –5th Avenue

4. Snowday Food Truck –Manhattan

The BEST maple grill cheese from Snowday Food Truck. So good. ?@alexaisabel

This Canadian food truck will have you inspired with their incredible dishes that sound like they belong in a fancy resto. What to try: Famous Maple Grilled Cheese —sharp cheddar, shewolf bakery sourdough, maple.

5. Hard Times Sundaes –Brooklyn

A food truck that will make all those hard times disappear. They’ll whip you up a burger so yummy that your taste buds will cry. What to try: Hard Times Sundaes Signature Burger — American cheese, caramelized onions and thick cut hardwood smoked bacon, on a buttered and grilled potato roll.

9. Breakfast Carts –Madison Square Garden

Okay yeah, so it’s technically not a truck… BUT it’s a mobile vehicle ready show you how to enjoy an NYC breakfast in style. Bagels, muffins, croissants, coffee… New Yorkers make a pit stop here before heading into the office. What to try: “Everything Bagel” with plain cream cheese

Best Lunch In NYC For $7 Or Less

We won’t lie to you… New York City can be expensive — the average cost of lunch + a drink is $15! So if you cut out the drink, most people spend about $12 on their midday meal. But don’t be like most people, be smart! Affordable yet delicious food in NYC is possible… if you know where to look. Don’t sweat it, we’ve pulled together a list of the best place to get lunch in NYC for under $7.

2. 2 Bros – St. Marks

If you’re trying to keep your spending to a minimum, 2 Bros have got your back with their NYC style pizza slices bigger than your head! Don’t think because it’s only $1 it must taste like cardboard… because these are actually scrumptious. What to try: $1 Cheese Pizza!

4. Wrapido – Hell’s Kitchen

Award winning Falafel for under $6 INCLUDING A DRINK? Sign yourself up. Their pita falafel + drink is one of the best value lunches in NYC. What to try: Falafel Pita — gluten-free pita, falafel and lots of greens.

5. Kopitiam – Lower East Side

Calling all Malaysian foodies! Kopitiam has a number of items under $7, so no need to worry about the bill. What to try: Nasi Lemak — coconut rice with egg, cucumber and anchovy with homemade sambal sauce.

7. Shake Shack – Theater District

Shake Shack has some VERY loyal fans, and once you taste their burgers you’ll be one too. With locations all over NYC and some amazing options for under $7, Shake Shack is always a good idea! What to try: ‘Shroom Burger — crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce™.

8. Noodle Q – Chinatown

Soups and noodles that are authentic and affordable. Noodle Q is one of the best places to eat in Chinatown on a budget. The dumplings are to die for too. What to try: Vegetable Fried Hand-Pulled Noodles.

Address: 2 E Broadway, New York, NY 10038

9. Buffalo’s Famous – Brooklyn

Got a hankering for some homemade wings, hot dogs and burgers? Buffalo’s Famous is the go-to, and they even have amazing veggie and vegan options. What to try: Black Bean Burger — with lettuce, tomato, and onion.

10. Mama’s Empanadas – Queens

If you’re looking for a quick grab and go lunch come to Queens! One bite into Mama’s Empanadas and you’ll find yourself coming back for more. What to try: Pastel De Yuca Relleno De Carne — cassava pasties filled with beef heaven.

Address: 3241 Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103

Best Places To Eat In NYC For Vegans And Veggies

Vegan or Veggie? No Problem, NYC has yo’ back! Most menus around the city have a very robust selection for the non-meat eaters BUT there are several spots that specialize in the art of veggies.

2. The Little Beet – Midtown

Vegetarian food that’s off the beeten path. Hahaha, you see what we did there? Never mind. These veggie dishes are unique, tasty, and Instagram-ready. What to try: Tofu & Shroom Roll— marinated shiitake mushrooms & tofu with avocado, happy slaw & brown rice wrapped in nori served with chipotle aioli and ponzu sauce.

3. By Chloe – Various

Probably the best place for affordable vegan food in NYC, by Chloe is a also a great place to convert meat eaters over to the dark side. With 3 stores already and more opening soon, By Chloe is clearly onto a good thing. What to order: EVERYTHING.

NYC Neighborhoods that Cook “It” Best

New York is booming with exotic foods from all over the world, but sometimes the culinary knowledge gets a little lost along the way. So if you want to keep it authentic, these are the neighbourhoods that have held true to their roots.

1. Chinatown, Manhattan: Best for Chinese

Almost all large cities in the USA have a small section of the city referred to as Chinatown. In NYC, Chinatown is huge and it’s filled with Chinese bakeries, noodle stops, and traditional restaurants. Try eating some salt and pepper squid, dumplings, chow mein, peking roasted duck, red bean bun, sesame ball and ma po tofu.

3. Midtown South / Garment district, Manhattan: Best for Korean

There is a very small area of Manhattan referred to as Koreantown by locals and it’s right where midtown south (6th avenue) meets the garment district (34th street). Here you’ll find the best Korean bakeries, soup shops, and traditional restaurants. Head to Korea 32 Food Gallery, where you’ll find all the best Korean food New York has to offer.

4. Harlem, Upper Manhattan: Best for Soul Food

Craving some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or mac & cheese? Harlem is the place to be. Here you’ll find the most traditional soul food goodies. To expand your food horizons, branch out with fried okra, grits, chitterlings, or hog maw.

5. Astoria, Queens: Mexican

For traditional Mexican cuisine, Astoria is NYC’s best neighbourhood by a mile. Tres leches, empanadas, tacos Al Pastor, chiles En Nogada… you name it! And if you’re on a super tight budget, stock up at the local Mexican grocery stores and cook up a storm in your hostel kitchen.

Top NYC Foods And Where To Find Them

If none of the delicious restaurants above tickle your taste buds or if you feel like you want to explore on your own… here is a list of traditional NYC dishes that are practically mandatory to try while visiting the city.

1. Poke

Wisefish Poké

Most people have never heard of this traditional Hawaiian raw fish salad, and unless you’re planning to go to Hawaii after NYC you might as well try it here as it’s amongst the best in the world!

3. Cookie Dough

Why? It’s always so tempting to eat all the cookie dough before they’re even made into cookies. Well NYC has a solution for your dough craving. Get cookie dough scooped into cones and eat it like ice cream! The best bit: no one will judge you.

5. Bagels

An NYC bagel is like no other bagel. The cream cheese is thicker, and the detail that goes into baking these treats is impressive. You can’t say you’ve been to NYC without trying a bagel. Start off with these spots, and by the end of your trip you’ll be addicted.

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About the Blog

Our aim with this travel blog is to feed and water your wanderlust. Here we share our best travel tips with the help of our favourite travel writers; such as where to find those authentic, soul-filled places, and the hottest hostels to stay in while you’re at it. We’ll give you a sneak peek into hostel life, solo travel and the friend filled adventures you can have on the road! Read on if you’re ready to be inspired to #MeetTheWorld BEYOND the tourist brochure!